Gary Hooper's first-half goal set the tone as Hereford sailed to a comfortable win over Accrington to maintain their push for automatic promotion.

The visitors started in a positive mood and had a glorious opportunity to take the lead after just six minutes, but Sherjill Mac-Donald skied his shot over the crossbar from six yards.

Accrington struggled to get a foothold in the game and the closest they came was through David Mannix's speculative long-range drive.

Stanley started to exert some pressure on their visitors and Bulls' goalkeeper Wayne Brown denied Ian Craney and James Harris in quick succession.

Despite feeling their way into the game and posing a credible threat, Stanley were undone by a goal of consummate ease three minutes before the break.

Simon Johnson created enough space on the right wing to whip in a teasing cross which Hooper stabbed into the roof of the net from six yards.

Hereford started the second half with the same style which characterised their display towards the end of the first and managed to double their advantage after 52 minutes as Mark Roberts' misplaced pass-back was adjudged to have crossed the line.

The hosts briefly threatened to pull a goal back as the game entered the final 10 minutes. Shaun Whalley and Craney both tried their luck from dis-tance, but on-form stopper Brown was equal to them on both occasions.